- Joined
- Feb 18, 2016
- Messages
- 316
- Purraise
- 218
What a problem. I will try to make it short. Tuffy has been around for 7 years, the last 3 years right in our yard full time since his abandonned building home down the road was torn down. I did TNR on him last summer. Since then he has gotten more and more comfortable with us, especially me, and now he wants to be MY cat. I can pet him and brush him but I'm careful and Tuffy stays outside. WE put Tuffy's age at 8 years, TNR Vet agrees.
Joe showed up after Tuffy, was likely a barn cat or maybe even pet, dumped. Joe decided he wanted to be MY cat too. Five years ago Joe literally pushed his way into the house and he comes in every night now. He still wants out during the day and is miserable if he can't be out. Joe for sure is 6 years old.
Tuffy is trying to replace Joe. Joe is not a fighter. Tuffy stalks Joe and chases him away. I have tried treating in each other's company to show Tuffy that good things happen when Joe is here but Tuffy resource guards his food and this is not working. Nor is simple petting and attention. IN fact both petting and feeding seem to make Tuffy worse.
I am afraid Joe will leave if Tuffy continues to threaten him. The friendlier Tuffy gets with me the more he seems to keep Joe away. Tuffy is often so close to the back door when I go outside I wonder if he may try to come inside. I have inside only cats too, Tuffy cannot come in. Tuffy comes on the run when I call him. Joe is starting to avoid me for fear Tuffy might jump him.
I have contacted some local feral cat and rescue cat people who have no ideas and really were not any help. I thought neutering Tuffy would help the antagonism between Tuff and Joe but it has not. So here I am, asking if anyone has some ideas I could try. Tuffy is not a re-home candidate, he is still feral and I could not in good conscience let him go to someone.
Joe showed up after Tuffy, was likely a barn cat or maybe even pet, dumped. Joe decided he wanted to be MY cat too. Five years ago Joe literally pushed his way into the house and he comes in every night now. He still wants out during the day and is miserable if he can't be out. Joe for sure is 6 years old.
Tuffy is trying to replace Joe. Joe is not a fighter. Tuffy stalks Joe and chases him away. I have tried treating in each other's company to show Tuffy that good things happen when Joe is here but Tuffy resource guards his food and this is not working. Nor is simple petting and attention. IN fact both petting and feeding seem to make Tuffy worse.
I am afraid Joe will leave if Tuffy continues to threaten him. The friendlier Tuffy gets with me the more he seems to keep Joe away. Tuffy is often so close to the back door when I go outside I wonder if he may try to come inside. I have inside only cats too, Tuffy cannot come in. Tuffy comes on the run when I call him. Joe is starting to avoid me for fear Tuffy might jump him.
I have contacted some local feral cat and rescue cat people who have no ideas and really were not any help. I thought neutering Tuffy would help the antagonism between Tuff and Joe but it has not. So here I am, asking if anyone has some ideas I could try. Tuffy is not a re-home candidate, he is still feral and I could not in good conscience let him go to someone.